Perhaps you have heard me rave about Portugal. Possibly you are a Port drinker or a history buff. Or maybe you simply want to learn more about one of the most affordable, beautiful and safe countries in Europe. Allow My Wine Tribe to assist you. Big Red and I honeymooned in Portugal in October 2013. He planned the trip—which made me love him even more—and it was a smashing success. First we hit the Algarve (the southern coast), then the Alentejo (the breadbasket in the middle of the country), then the Douro (the wine producing region in the north) and finally, Lisbon and Porto (the key coastal cities). I could wax poetic about each, but here are the highlights:
It’s artisanal, very artisanal
You know the foodie trend of everything being local and artisanal? Well, Portugal is the real deal. It’s not necessarily because the Portuguese are trendy. Rather, the economic infrastructure and tech sector haven’t developed in a way that encourages mass food production. As a result, everything is hyperlocal, handcrafted and artisanal.
Case in point: in the Douro, all of the grapes are hand harvested because the vines are planted on the sides of steep mountains where machines fear to tread. (Trivia question: where else must grapes be picked by hand because of steep vineyards? Answer: the northern Rhone and Mosel.)
The other crazy thing is that at a number of Port houses, including biggies like Fonseca, the grapes are crushed the old-fashioned way: by teams of locals who stomp, sweat and dance to regional music. It was fantastic to see—and a little off-putting. I figure the germs likely will be killed by the alcohol, so it’s OK.
You may call me Princess Stephanie
Another great thing about Portugal: you can stay at castles and feel like a princess, which is a really good thing for romance.
Garlic shrimp is a national dish
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If you like seafood, this is the country for you. With more than 1,100 miles of coastline, Portugal’s access to the sea ensures that you will get your fill. Big Red and I taste-tested variations on classic Portuguese garlic shrimp across the country and always went away happy.
You can relive the past
The Portuguese empire spanned nearly 600 years and involved colonialism, a monarchy, wars, art, transfers of vast wealth, etc. If you are a history buff, this is not a dull country.
Then there’s the wine
Portuguese wines are one of the wine world’s best kept secrets. There are 17 red grape varieties and 16 white varieties. We did our best to try them all. Here are some photos of our favorites.
To try Portuguese wines at home, go to your local wine store and ask about what they have. Chances are you will get a killer bottle of red for less than $20. And be sure to try a vinho verde, or “green wine.” They’re crisp, tight whites usually found for less than $10.
It’s called “PORTugal,” right?
And finally, if you are a fan of Port you can easily get your fill and a boozy education, too. In my next post, I’ll tell you all I learned.
In the meantime, if you have plans to travel to Portugal, please leave a comment below . I would be happy to share more travel tips and want to hear about your adventures. Saude